LOSING WEIGHT WHILE PREGNANT

[Nickey1]

Before anyone start chewing me out, let me make it clear that I wouldn't dare diet OR do anything that will harm the baby while pregnant, with that said, I'd like to know if any of you ever lost weight while pregnant.  My doctor told me that it's perfectly fine to work out during pregnancy, and actually encourages.  BUT of course the "word" losing isn't allowed in the office while you're pregnant, BUT I want to know realistically, "AGAIN", without any diets OR anything that'll harm my baby in any way, can I lose weight while pregnant.  In addition to working out, I'm wondering if I just eat the amount of calories I'm supposed to will I lose weight, considering I ALWAYS have eaten much more than needed for my size.  I want to be healthy........BUT lose weight as well, is this unheard of.  Thanks

Thanks EVERYONE for EVERYTHING

[Nickey1]

THANK YOU SO MUCH....I've NEVER eaten well, even while not pregnant, I'm such a picky eater, and I don't like the taste of many foods, so eating a well balanced meal has ALWAYS been an issue for me, thank you so much.  Also, I'm taking note of all of my questions and concerns, and come Monday I will ask my doctor about them all.  Thanks Ladies!

[peekawho]

Nickey
In general, you are correct.  Eat in a healthy manner, walk or do whatever you feel able to do for exercise, and you will gain enough to keep the baby healthy.

But what you  listed:
"(For example my day so far (it's now 4:30pm here in DC) I ate 2 bowls of total raisin bran cereal around 8:45am, at 11am I ate an orange, at 11:50am, ate an apple, at 3pm, I ate a salad (which included chicken breast, crab meat along with the other salad stuff), and I'm fine. I get off work in about an hour and have an apple ready for my ride home. Likely for dinner I'll eat some boneless chicken breast (cooked them last night on the grill) and some collard greens, and likely another piece of fruit before bed)"

This is deficient in calcium and veggies.  You can't substitute prenatals for real food.  They are meant to supplement, not replace many of the nutrients found in food.  

Here is a good guide for what to eat while pregnant and breastfeeding.  

http://www.mb.literacy.ca/Nutrrition%20FOOD%20GUIDE%20FOR%20PREGNANCY%20AND%20BREASTFEEDING.pdf

[Nickey1]

Thanks for your post, that's exactly what I was thinking.  If I eat healthy and when I'm hungry, meaning when I'm hungry I'll eat NOT try to starve myself or count calories or anything like that, and when I eat, it'll be healthy.  For example my day so far (it's now 4:30pm here in DC) I ate 2 bowls of total raisin bran cereal around 8:45am, at 11am I ate an orange, at 11:50am, ate an apple, at 3pm, I ate a salad (which included chicken breast, crab meat along with the other salad stuff), and I'm fine.  I get off work in about an hour and have an apple ready for my ride home. Likely for dinner I'll eat some boneless chicken breast (cooked them last night on the grill) and some collard greens, and likely another piece of fruit before bed.  Now you see I'm eating ALL day, just healthy, and I'm not hungry at all, and I'm going to either walk an hour on the treadmill OR go to the track for an hour since it's so nice out side today.  I figure if I keep this up, I'm losing weight as well as giving my baby the nutrients he/she needs, OH and by the way according to the standard weight charts from the doctor's office, I should lose 40lbs, BUT according to my taste, I want to only lose 20lbs (of course this was all before the pregnancy) now I'm not focused on a number, I just want to mainly NOT gain much weight, and if I lose any that'll be fine.

[YvetteY]

Right now I could stand to lose about 20 pounds and when I get pregnant, I am going to watch what I eat and walk 3 - 4 miles on a regular basis.  I don't think I need to put on more than 12 to 15 pounds during pregancy.  I'm about a size 12 these days and I think if you are a lot thinner your body needs the extra weight, but when you've already got the seriuos curves going on, you don't.

So I have every intention of limiting carbohydrates (bread, pasta, etc.) and focusing on the complex carbs.  Basically try to mimic southbeach diet.  I think that's is really good nutrition.  

I am hoping it will keep my weight down.  With my first pregancy I gain about 45 pounds and second I gained 35.  My ob (the one I saw on with the m/c in december) said I was good if I gained 12 - 15 pounds.  I already had "surplus fat"....Yikes!

[MeganG]

Well- I have heard it is not rare to drop a few lbs during your 1st trimester because of all the nausea and morning sickness.  I had a friend who dropped 5 lbs in her 1st trimester and went to her doctor because it made her nervous.  The doc told her not to worry too much because she already had a weight problem.  

[Nickey1]

Thank you so much for your comment.  Whenever people usually discuss weight along with pregnancy people usually panic thinking the baby will be harmed etc...but that was exactly what I needed to hear, I plan on taking VERY good care of myself and will NEVER put my baby in harms way......so thanks for your story and for understanding.

[JerzyGirlatHrt]

Yes, it is possible.  My bf's friend was pregnant with her second child.  She never lost the weight from her first pregnancy.  Throughout her second pregnancy she actually ended up losing weight, and was ALL belly.  She wasn't starving herself or anything like that and was just eating healthy and when she was hungry...not overeating and not starving herself.  So it definitely is possible.  

[mar66rus2]

It is ok to lose a few pounds in the beginning, and can somewhat be expected due to nausua/morning sickness.  I lost a couple of lbs with both pregnancies.  However, if you are TRYING to lose weight, you need to stop.  You need to be gaining a certain amount now, not losing.  That can come after you have the baby.  Eating healthy is obviously great, but do not do it to lose weight.  Eat things that are proper for the growth of your baby, and yes you may want to increase your calories a little since you are eating for two.

I know it is hard, since I am pg with twins, and know that I need to eat more than normal.  It has been super hard for me though between the nausua of the first trimester and then having strep on my tongue.  I am 17wks, and just now have a decent appetite.  I have yet to gain more than 1lb since being pg, and it somewhat is frustrating though no one has showen concern yet.

Just do not diet right now....eat healthy, but don't over due it.  I hate it when pg women say they are fat or eating too much.  You are carrying a child that takes from you, so you need it.

[jd1419]

I have been pg twice and am on the plus side--I gained 17lbs both times with my kids and had babies over 8 1/2 lbs--with that said I watched my carbs--cut out all simple carbs and did a diabetic diet--it really gave me a lot of energy and I was never really hungry--you may wnat to add a protein snack inthe middle there somewhere like cheese with your apple or peanuts.

Also there is a weight watcher's program out there for pg women that helps control your weight and then it is modified if you decide to nurse.

They say for a healthy pg a woman only needs to eat 300 more calories than a normal balanced diet.

[shesherm]

Nickey, I think if you are eating healty and exercising, both recommended by my DR last time you are fine.  Just keep in touch with your DR and enjoy your walk. :O) I will be way to nervous todo anything wrong WHEN i get p/g again.  I just got a thing to renew my gym membership and told DH i probably wont renew, but I do want to stay healthy....MAYBE I SHOULD GET MY LAZY A#$ OFF THE COUCH NOW since I'm not LOL :O)  Happy and healty  ps I will burn alot of energy walking to my mailbox looking for my preseed 6x a day..our mail person sucks and comes when they want sometimes i swear they skip days and have even delivered on Sun to make up for it  :O)

[Nickey1]

Thanks for your comment, and YES I am very happy about being pregnant, words can't begin to explain, but I was on the road of losing a few pounds before I got pregnant, so I'd still like to lose, BUT PLEASE keep in mind that in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM, will I EVER do anything to jeopardize my baby, I was just curious, there are alot of things that go on that seems to surprise me everyday, so I was just curious as to if it was possible.  My sister-in-law, wore a size 16-18, and had twins last august, and after she gave birth she dropped to a size 8-10; however, she was sick throughout her entire pregnancy, and no way do I want that.  I guess I was just curious, nothing more than that honestly.  BUT thanks for your comment, and NO I didn't think you were being mean, that's why we're here for support and to give our opinions, and yours was very tasteful, thanks for that too.

[haileya]

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone wanting to "loose weight" while pregnant??? Why would you want to?

Also I'm not trying to be mean but I read a lot of posts on this site and I thought you posted last week about how freaked out you were about being pregnant?? I don't know strange question??